Morelos authorities free alleged criminal leader to secure release of 3 kidnapped police

In Morelos, authorities released José David Vergara, an alleged leader of the Pueblos Unidos criminal group, just hours after his capture on Monday to secure the release of three kidnapped police officers. Vergara, known as "El Güero Gym," was detained on drug possession charges in Totolapan, a municipality on the border with Mexico state.

The Pueblos Unidos retaliated by kidnapping the three police officers, who were investigating homicides unrelated to the initial operation that led to Vergara's capture. Following the kidnapping, state police authorities activated protocols to prioritize the safety of the detained officers. One officer was hospitalized with a gunshot wound and later released in stable condition.

Morelos Attorney General Fernando Blumenkron Escobar stated that the events in Totolapan cannot be viewed in isolation and that Vergara was being investigated for drug possession, not high-impact crimes. The release of Vergara was seen as an attempt to prevent further violence and protect civilians.